Title: Christian's Sacrifice

Author: Shakito

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to WWF and TitanSports. No copyright infringement intended.

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"I found out about this little set-up your planning, Triple H. Its sick"

It had been three days since Shane had told me about Helmsley's plan to hurt Edge. I'd spent all that time trying to track him down. His cronies had said that he was visiting his parents to sort out some family crisis. Instead I found him sharing a hotel room with X-pac, than followed him to the Dallas arena and to this locker room. I placed myself behind one of the metal folding chairs [in case things got violent] and glared at him. Hunter barely raised an eyebrow at me. He sat on a bench, calmly wrapping his left wrist in tape.

"You've got a Hell of a nerve coming in here and busting a gut about this match, which happens to be McMahon-Helmsley business only"

"Wrong, Helmsley. This is now my business as well. You made it so by using what happened in New York as an excuse for booking a match that's gonna get Edge a broken bone at best. Kane will whip him from pillar to post, as you well know."

Triple H merely shrugged.

"That ain't my problem, baby. If that pretty boy can't handle himself professionally in a match then he has no business calling himself a wrestler"

"Hunter!" I slammed my hands down on the back of the chair "Call this farce off before its too late"

Now he did raise one eyebrow, and a mocking sneer twisted his lips.

"Or what, sweetcakes?"

I felt something break inside me. With a supreme effort of will, I managed to hold back the raw emotions that threatened to cause tears to fall from my eyes. I'd promised myself that if it came to this, I would do what I had to do, for Edge. Helmsley had left me with no choice. If I didn't give him what he wanted, then he'd make sure that Kane was either bribed or manipulated into purposely injuring Edge. I couldn't let that happen, not when I had the power to stop it.

"I'll sleep with you" I said, my voice sounding dead even to my own ears.

Hunter sat back, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline.

"What?"

Holding myself together by sheer willpower, I moved around the chair and sat down on it, hiding my hands in my pockets so Helmsley didn't see them shaking.

"I said I'll sleep with you. That's what you wanted, wasn't it?"

"Whoa. I wasn't expecting that one"

I said nothing.

He shook his head, then leaned forward and regarded me closely.

"Your really willing to do this for that pretty boy's sake, aren't you?"

I nodded once.

"Just tell me where and when, and I'll be there"

Hunter considered for a moment, then he said.

"It'll have to be tonight, after my match. Meet me at the Courtyard Inn on 31st Street, room twelve at ten"

"And you'll call the match off?"

He grinned.

"Of course. I'll just tell Stephanie that it's uh...no longer necessary"

I made no reply, merely got up and left the room, trying to ignore the satisfied chuckling that followed me out the door.

I walked straight out of the arena, not even pausing when wrestlers or crew members called out greetings to me. I couldn't face them, not now. Not when I felt physically and mentally sick from what I had just agreed too. I just kept walking, until I found myself across the street from the arena in a small park. Thanks to the overcast sky and time of day, it was deserted, and sitting on one of the benches I hung my head and let the tears come.

I cried for a long time, letting all the raw emotions inside me out. Finally I sat back against the smooth wooden slats and stared out across the park, my thoughts returning to how I'd come to be here.

It had all begun on Monday might, when Shane had told me that Triple H planned to have me "beaten up" in the back, thus meaning that Edge would have to have a singles match with Kane to replace our tag-team match at the PPV in Miami.

The next three days I'd had to work, making appearances for the WWF at malls and signing autographs. On Thursday night I'd finally managed to get Jess alone in a locker room. Separate from Billy he'd been more willing to tell me the truth about where Helmsley was. Once I'd learned Helmsley's whereabouts, I'd booked a flight to Dallas and caught it this morning. Now here I was, though technically I should have been in Pittsburgh at some Wal-Mart or other, but Chris had promised to sweet talk the management for me and I knew that he wouldn't let me down. I had also made arrangements to fly out of Dallas tomorrow with Test and Grel. All that remained was to fill in the time between now and my date at the Courtyard Inn.

A tremor swept over me at the thought of Hunter's hands on my skin. If I'd been able to think that he would simply screw me, it would have been easier to deal with, but I knew him too well. He'd sample every inch of my body with his hands and his tongue. He'd act like he owned me, as he'd done when we were together. Sometimes we'd make love for hours because Helmsley liked to be...thorough. When I thought I'd loved him, I had found his prolonged attentions to be flattering and enjoyable, now the thought filled me with dread. My own fear was made worst by the knowledge of how X-pac would feel if he ever found out, that the man he loved had cheated on him in such a manner. On top of all that, knowing how Edge would feel if he discovered that his lover had let himself be used.

Knowing that I could never share this secret with anyone, made the burden seem a hundred times heavier, but I had to be strong. I had known the consequences of offering myself to Helmsley when I had made the decision on Monday night. I couldn't back out and leave my beloved Edge to the mercy of a Helmsley controlled Big Red Machine. My thoughts, as they often did, turned to Edge but instead of the happy memories that normally filled my mind, all I could think of was how hard it had been to deceive him when we'd spoken on the phone.

He'd rung me every night as he always did when we were apart. He'd let me know how Jeff Hardy was doing [as though I couldn't find out by watching Raw] and talk about his matches and opponents. Then there'd be the requisite lewd joke that was doing the rounds of the locker rooms, and reports on the love lives of wrestlers and who had injuries. Finally he'd ask me about my day, and I'd tell him the usual "Just signing autographs and shit like that" line, then that horrible pause where he'd be waiting for me to say something else, and I'd be struggling with myself not to blurt out my secret. Eventually he'd come out with "I miss you and love you", and after I'd responded, there was nothing left to say. We'd both hang up, and go to sleep in our separate hotel beds.

Normally I treasured our conversations and just hearing the sound of his voice, but the last few nights they'd been like torture for me. I didn't know whether I could face another one, on the other hand, if I turned my cell phone off, Edge would know that something was up. I'd never missed one of our nighttime conversations ever since we'd formed our relationship. I had no choice really. I would simply have to leave my phone on and keep my mouth shut about my secret.

Now though I had the whole day to fill in, by myself. All the people I knew in Dallas were WWF employees and they were all busy at the arena. I hadn't spent a whole day alone for months. Usually I was either with one of the guys or my beloved Edge.

A whimper escaped my throat. This was so hard. Harder even than I had expected it to be, and I'd expected it to be bad. I wanted to run away and hide, but I couldn't. Edge's well-being depended on me to be strong and go through with my plan, as desperate as it was and as depressed as it made me feel.

The empty hours to go between now and my "date" with Helmsley stretched out in front of me. I felt I could bear them so much easier if I only had company, but..

"Hey, your Christian aren't you?"

I turned my head to see a tall young man with long dark hair, dressed in denim shorts and a white tank-top approaching me across the grass. I did a double take as I looked at him. He seemed familiar, and I suddenly realized why as he came to stand at the left end of the bench.

"Yeah, I am" I said "And your Billy Kidman from TurnerLand"

He nodded.

"Precisely. Would you mind if I sat down?"

I shook my head, watching as he folded himself gracefully onto the park bench, one leg crossed over the other.

"So" I began, when he'd made himself comfortable "What are you doing in the same city as the competition?"

"It's my day off. I'm visiting someone. How about yourself?"

"I'm visiting someone too" I said truthfully, trying to ignore the coldness in the pit of my stomach.

"Huh. That's some coincidence isn't it?"

"I guess"

Silence fell between us after that, but though I returned to staring out over the park, I could feel Billy's eyes on me. After a moment, he said.

"Listen, if you don't have any other plans, maybe we could have lunch together"

My first reaction was to say no, despite my need for company. I barely knew Billy, we'd probably only met each other all of three or four times. On the other hand, he seemed pleasant enough and he was the only company on offer.

Finally I shrugged, and said.

"Okay. I should warn you though, I'm a fussy eater"

Billy smiled, revealing perfect white teeth.

"Really. Me too"

Some six hours late I found myself in my Dallas hotel room, lying on my bed and eating a slice of chocolate cake from room service.

"You've been a bad influence on me" I said accusingly, shooting a mock dark glance at my companion.

Billy just laughed. He was sitting on the other bed, several empty plates lay on the floor at his feet and he held a steaming cup of hot chocolate in his hands.

"You were the one who ordered that extra large bucket of buttered popcorn"

"Yeah. Well you were the one who sneaked alcohol into the cinema" I retorted.

"Christian, it was only beer. Besides could you have survived watching that film without being just a little bit drunk?"

I shook my head.

"Probably not, but it was still a risky thing to do"

He shrugged.

"It was fun. In fact the whole day has been a lot of fun"

"Yeah. I've really enjoyed it'

Billy took a sip of his drink.

"We should do it again, soon"

"Sure" I replied easily "If we happen to meet up like we did today"

"No..uh that is" he looked decidedly uncomfortable "I mean we should plan it"

The light finally dawned on me.

"You mean like a date?"

Billy nodded. I opened my mouth to speak, but freeing one hand from his cup of chocolate, he raised it, gesturing for silence. I shut my mouth again.

"Please let me say something. I've had..well I'd guess you call it a crush, on you for a while now. I always watch all the WWF programs, hoping to see you, even though that's kinda frowned upon by management. I always wanted to tell you, but I never imagined that I'd get the chance until day. So, what do you say?"

What did I say? It wasn't every day that a cute, sweet guy like Billy Kidman said he had a crush on me. That was always happening to Edge, people trampled all over each other just to touch his jacket sleeve, but me? The kid who used to be called Pokey-Face at school. But here it was, and as usual the truth was my first resort.

"To be honest, Billy, I'm flattered but involved"

"Seriously?" he asked softly and I could tell that he was struggling to keep his disappointment from showing.

"Very" I responded, thinking of what I was preparing myself to do for Edge "I'm sorry"

"Oh well" he managed a weak smile "I guess thems the breaks, huh?"

"Yeah, sorry"

Billy shook his head slightly.

"Hey, it's not your fault"

I wasn't sure what to say after that and Billy just stared into his cup of chocolate, his brown eyes filled with conflicting emotions. I finished my slice of cake, and placing the plate down on the floor scooted up the bed to rest against the headboard, my arms wrapped around my knees.

After a moment of watching him and wavering between asking him to leave to dispel the awkwardness and offering him comfort, I finally said.

"Come and sit beside me, Billy"

He looked up, but didn't say anything, just silently acquiesced. In a few seconds he was sitting in the space beside me, stiffly at first then acting on instinct I slipped one arm around his shoulders and he relaxed against me with a soft sigh.

"I thought you were going to order me to leave. That's what usually happens in situations like this"

I chuckled.

"To be frank, Billy, this is my first "situation" so I wasn't sure how to react, besides which I don't do things the usual way. I'm as unconventional as they come"

"Yeah. I'd noticed that"

"So" I began, after a short pause in the conversation "I didn't know that you were...um into guys"

"It's not something that you can just tell anyone. If the general public found out, I would lose my market value. I know that sounds callous, but those were the exact words spoken to me by management"

"I know how you feel" I said, running the fingers of my free hand through his black hair. "The brass gave Edge a hell of a hard time when they found out he wasn't straight. They never did that with me though, I guess I wasn't such a big loss to the female fans as Edge was"

"Oh, I don't know, Christian. You seem like a huge loss to me"

"Gee, thanks"

He raised his head to look at me, a shy smile curving his lips.

"Your very handsome, is what I meant"

I smiled gently.

"I know. Just teasing"

A shrill ringing interrupted whatever his reply was going to be. Murmuring an apology to Billy, I reached over to the bedside table for my cell phone.

"Hello"

"Chris. We need to talk" Edge's voice, sounding weary and troubled.

"Edge, love. Can you hang on a minute?"

Without waiting for an answer, I put the phone down on the bed and turned to Billy.

"I have to take this call"

"Is it Edge?"

"Yes"

He nodded, and got up off the bed.

"I'll be going then. Can I give you a call sometime, you know as a friend?"

"Sure. Are you going to be around tomorrow?"

"I fly out at 12:00"

"I leave at 1:00. Why don't we meet at the airport at 10:00 in the coffee bar? We can exchange details there"

"O.K." He moved towards the door "I'll Seeya. Take care till then, okay?"

"I will. Bye"

"Bye"

He left, closing the door quietly behind him, and I picked up the phone again in time to hear Edge swearing colorfully.

"I'm back" I said softly, in between his expletives.

"What the Hell was that about?" now he sounded irritable, almost angry.

"I'm sorry, Edge"

"Were you getting your "bit on the side" out of hearing range?"

"No. I just asked Billy to leave and-" I trailed off, suddenly realizing that he'd used my own defensiveness against me.

"Billy who?"

"Kidman" I supplied, deciding that I may as well tell him the whole thing now.

"What the heck was a WCW wrestler doing in your hotel room? I presume that that is where you are right now"

"Yes"

I went on, relating the whole story. Edge remained silent until I'd finished, then he said.

"Well, my innocent Chris going on a risky adventure. I didn't know you had it in you"

"I didn't know either" I replied, a little tartly "Billy Kidman can be very persuasive"

"I wonder whether I could string you into a dangerous activity as well"

"You probably could" I sighed and slumped back against the headboard, suddenly feeling exhausted and strung out "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Oh yeah" there was a long pause, then "There's been a change of plans" "Really, what?"

"Well due to what the management is terming "unforeseen circumstances" my whole weekend work schedule has been cancelled. I was thinking that we could meet up in Miami tomorrow, and spend the rest of the weekend together"

"That would be perfect" I said, not hiding the tremor from my voice. Edge would think it was due to me missing him and I was like Hell.

"Great. I thought you may have had plans" his tone had changed to being light and happy "It's going to be so good seeing you. I can hardly wait now"

"Me either"

"In fact I've..oh I've gotta go, Chris. Matt Hardy is waiting for me to make my vaunted appearance"

I couldn't help but laugh at that latest.

"Okay. Take care, darling"

"You too, sweetheart. See you tomorrow"

"I'll count the hours" I said softly "Till then"

"Bye"

He hung up and I was alone in the hotel room. I put the phone down and glanced at my watch. 7:15 the numbers read. Just under three hours to fill in before my "date".

I leaned my head back and stared up at the ceiling. Tears stung behind my eyes, but they didn't fall. I was tired, but not filled with despair as I had been before in the park.

I felt stronger, thanks to Billy and Edge, able to face Helmsley without fear. He would have dominion over my body tonight, but not my heart or soul. They belonged to Edge and tomorrow I would have my beloved in my arms. For that feeling of loving and being loved in return, I could face anything.

I only had to knock once before Helmsley opened the door and ushered me inside. I surveyed the room. It was large, not like the box at my hotel. A sitting area was off to my left, a well stocked bar and stools off to my right. In the far left corner, a small office area, complete with laptop and fax/phone. Beside that, two doors. One of them was ajar, allowing a glimpse into a master bedroom. Its queen size bed was neatly made.

I felt a touch on my shoulder and half-turned. Hunter stood, leering down at me.

"X-pac only left a short while ago. I had to drag the cleaning service up here to get the bed done, but I figured you'd want it clean and tidy"

I didn't say anything.

He came around to stand in front of me and looked me up and down.

"Well aren't we looking tasty."

I inclined my head, but again remained silent. I had dressed up in the best clothes that I'd packed. A pair of tight fitting black trousers and a silk white shirt. They were a little like what I'd worn in the Brood for my liking, but I had doubted that Helmsley would mind and he had just proved me right.

"So, would you like a drink?"

"Okay" I smiled politely, belying the disgust that was causing my stomach to turn over.

Helmsley guided me over to the bar and I sat down on one of the stools. He went to a cabinet behind the bar and pulling out a bottle of vodka, poured a measure of it into two tumblers. He handed one to me, and I sculled it in one swallow then set the glass down again with a loud clink.

Hunter raised an eyebrow.

"Are you trying to get drunk?"

I shrugged, feeling reckless suddenly.

"Maybe"

He sipped at his own vodka.

"You never used to drink like that when we were together"

"I'm surprised you even noticed what I was doing when you weren't having your way with me" I replied with an edge to my voice.

"Ouch" Hunter touched his free hand to his chest "That hurt my feelings, baby"

I rolled my eyes, but said nothing. After a moment, he set his half-full glass down and coming around the bar, put his hands on my shoulders. I flinched, but Helmsley took no notice, he began to massage the flesh of my neck and shoulders. Despite my emotional revulsion, my rebellious body, which had been tight all day, began to relax. Hunter had often given me massages when we were together, and his touch had remained as sure as it had been back then.

"That's it, sweetcakes. Just relax. We can't have you all tense, can we?"

I pursed my lips.

"Why are you doing this, Hunter? Why can't you just fuck me and get it over and done with?"

He clucked his tongue.

"You know me better than that, Christian. I don't like to rush things, especially when" I felt his lips on my neck "the buildup is so sweet"

"Alright" I forced myself to get up from under his hands and to my feet "But not in here. We should go into the bedroom"

Hunter shrugged easily.

"Okay. Why don't you go in and get changed. I'll be there in a minute"

I hesitated and cast Hunter a suspicious glance, but his expression remained neutral and shrugging I walked past him and into the bedroom.

It was as opulent as the main room, done in dark gold and green tones. There were two bedside tables with lamps on them and an easy chair in the far left corner, but the main feature was the queen size bed. It had ornate metal fretwork head and foot boards and thick, expensive looking blankets. A large piece of black silk material had been hung over the footboard.

Ah, my sacrificial robe. I picked it up and a dressing gown with draping sleeves unfolded from my hands. He really expects me to wear this, I thought, noting the length which would end thirty inches from my hips. No doubt he did, and I would have to, because I still intended to save Edge from injury, no matter what the cost.

Swallowing back my pride, I undressed and put the dressing gown on, then neatly folded my clothes and placed them on the chair, just as I'd straightened up again, Hunter's voice froze me.

"That cost a pretty penny, you know" he began walking towards me "but it was well worth it, just to see how damn sexy you look"

In the next second, before I could even think of how to respond, he had his hands tangled in my hair and his mouth locked onto mine in a greedy, plundering kiss that left me feeling robbed of breath by the time he finally broke away.

"Damn. You taste pretty fucking good as well" Hunter placed his hands on my arms and gripping my wrists led me over to the bed "I hope that that pretty boy of yours realizes how sweet he has it, being your number one guy"

"Edge and I both know how fortunate we are" I replied, but only to myself. There was no way that I was going to share any personal details of the relationship between myself and Edge with this piece of scum. Let him think, and say, whatever he liked.

I let him turn me around so that my back was to the bed, then I sat down on the bed's edge and after stripping off his black T-shirt, Hunter sat beside me.

"You can talk you know. You don't have to play the mute with me"

"I'm not playing anything" I said quietly "You're the one who has to play games with people"

His brown eyes narrowed.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Think about it Hunter. The way you play Billy, Jesse and even Stephanie separately or against each other. Not forgetting X-pac. You know how much he loves you, but any way you can use him to further your own ends, you'll do without hesitation" I heard the sharpness to my own voice and knew that it would piss him off, but I was feeling angry, not just with Helmsley but with the fear that he made me feel. I wasn't a coward, and I refused to let him make me feel like one. "You're the game player here, Hunter, not me. I'm here because of love, not out of petty revenge motivated by a wounded ego"

Rage twisted his face and his hands clenched, the knuckles going white. I didn't move a muscle. Let him hit me. A bloody brawl was far preferable to being ravished by someone I detested. But Helmsley had obviously been waiting for this moment too long, and I watched him force his body to relax until he was calm again.

"On the other hand, maybe you should just shut the fuck up" he stood and gestured at the dressing gown I was wearing "Take that off and lie back on the bed"

Choking back my anger, I did as ordered. When I was lying with my head propped up on the pillows, Hunter quickly stripped off his boots and jeans before coming to lie over me, his hands pinning my arms to the bed.

I lay still, suppressing the urge to struggle. This would not be over soon, I knew Hunter too well for that. He would draw it out, stopping only when he was ready and not before.

Two hours later, he finally got off me and drew back to lie on his side, propped up on one elbow on the bed. I rolled over onto my back, and reaching down to the floor, picked up the discarded dressing gown and covered myself with it. I really wanted to get dressed and leave but I didn't think he was ready to let me go yet.

Confirming my assumption, he lifted his free hand and trailed it down my neck.

"So you think I play games, do you?" his tone was mild, almost indulgent.

I sighed.

"You know you do. You don't need me to tell you that"

"No, I don't" he took his hand away "I think you'd better leave now, sweetcakes. We wouldn't want X-pac to find out about our little playtime, would we?"

Silently I got up and got dressed, trying to ignore the fact that Hunter's eyes were on me the whole time. When I was ready to leave, I went and stood by the door into the main room.

"I do hope that X-pac never finds out about this, Helmsley. He doesn't deserve to be upset, especially over someone like you"

Without giving him a chance to respond, I left, closing the door behind me. I went straight back to my hotel room and stripping off my clothes, which I decided to burn at the earliest opportunity, I slipped into bed and cried myself to sleep.

A loud thumping sound interrupted my dream about Edge. Groaning, I dragged myself out of bed and to the door, opening it with one hand while the other kept the sheet secure around my waist. Test stood outside in the corridor, dressed in his street clothes, with a gym bag over one shoulder and a large suitcase in one hand.

It only took a moment, even in my sleep-fogged state, to realize that it was a hell of a lot later in the morning than I'd thought. Test's scowling expression only confirmed this fact.

"Uh...do you want to come in?" I asked, whilst trying on my best sheepish look.

"No thank you, Christian" he replied, and I couldn't help but wince at the way he bit each word out between clenched teeth "What I would like is for you to get your sorry ass into action. We have be at the airport in twenty minutes"

I opened my mouth to apologize, but the conversation that I'd had with Edge last night finally came back to me and instead I said.

"Listen, Test. Thanks for coming to pick me up, but I've made arrangements to meet Edge in Miami today. He got off work and-"

"When exactly did you make these arrangements?" Test inquired, interrupting me.

"Well, last night, around seven"

"I see. I'd best be going then. Gangrel's waiting in the car"

He turned and strode off down the corridor. I thought about calling out and asking him to say hello to Grel, then decided it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

In fact after I'd woken up properly, following a hot shower and a breakfast of waffles from room service, I realized I was lucky that Test hadn't given me a good hiding for my rudeness.

An hour later, I'd made arrangements with the airline [which happened to have a cancellation] to fly to Miami at 2pm, and booked out of the hotel. I was waiting for a taxi out on the pavement when my cell phone rang.

"Hello"

"Christian, it's Billy"

"Billy. I wasn't expecting you to call"

"No. I guess your wondering where I got this number from, huh?"

"The thought did occur to me" I admitted.

"Well" he hesitated briefly "The story goes like this. I can't meet you at the airport today because I met someone last night in a bar. He's one of your lot actually, and he gave me this number when I told him what happened with us yesterday"

I felt surprised, more by why this person had shared my phone number than that Billy had found companionship in one of the WWF guys.

"What's his name?"

Again a moment of hesitation, then.

"X-pac"

"X-pac" I repeated. It wasn't the cleverest thing to say, but if I'd felt surprised before, I was stunned now.

"Christian, I know this may sound a little surprising, but we were both alone and needing someone to talk to. We just clicked. I wasn't expecting it to happen, but it did"

I understood what he meant. It had happened like that with Edge and I, and if Billy had been talking about a complete stranger I would have just been glad for him, but X-pac? The guy who loved Hunter [despite the way he was treated] to the exclusion of everything else, or so I'd thought before. Obviously I'd been wrong. X-pac had turned to someone other than Helmsley for affection. Not for just the one time either from what Billy was telling me. Perhaps he even had plans to leave Hunter. If he did then I wished him luck. Helmsley had been the one to dump me when our relationship finally ended, but I'd tried to leave him before that, and failed.

Finally I said.

"It does surprise me, Billy. I thought X-pac was still involved with Triple H"

"He is" Billy replied quietly.

"So what is he doing with you? Are you having an affair?"

"It's not that simple, Christian" his voice was soft, making me realize how sharp my own had become. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down before I responded.

"Listen, Billy. I don't want to chew you out over this. It's your business, not mine. I just want to make sure that you know what your getting yourself into here." I paused, searching for the right words while he remained silent "I know X-pac. He's a good guy, but emotionally speaking he's a mess. He had a rough childhood and now he's all tangled up with Helmsley. You don't really want to get involved with someone like that, do you?"

"To be honest, Christian, I don't think I have no choice. I'm hooked"

"Oh, Billy" I couldn't help the sadness from entering my voice "You realize that this will end in heartbreak"

"Probably" he replied "But...life is short. You have to take your happiness when and where you can. Right now I need what X-pac can give me and he needs what I can give him. Maybe we can help each other heal a bit, and if nothing else comes of this relationship, we'll both a new friend at the end"

I shook my head even though he couldn't see me. It all seemed like a whole lot of unnecessary pain to me, but I knew what it was like to be in love. You went where your heart led you, wherever that might be.

"Well, I don't really know what to say. I just hope that you and X-pac can find whatever it is that you both need"

"Thank you, Christian. I thought you'd say something like that, true to your unconventional form"

"I'm glad that I didn't let you down" I said, a little sarcastically, reading from his tone that he was trying to steer the conversation to lighter things before we both hung up.

"I'll give you a call sometime soon, okay?"

"Sure. I'll look forward to it"

"I'd better go. X-pac's waking up"

"Alright. I'll catch up with you later"

"Yep. Seeya"

"Bye"

I took the phone away from my ear and clicked it off, just as a Taxi pulled up to the pavement in front of me and the driver leaned out the window, calling for a Mr. Cage. Picking up my luggage [a large suitcase and a backpack] I climbed into the backseat, and we were on our way to the Dallas airport.

In a few hours I would be in Miami with Edge. Everything would be perfect then, despite the events of yesterday. Being with him would lift my spirits as it always did. My "date" with Helmsley had stained me, but people carried far darker secrets than mine. I would simply keep it locked away inside me. Edge would never have to know, and as time passed, the emotional pain would fade away.

The only matter that concerned me was Billy getting involved with X-pac, but really, as I'd told him it was none of my business. I would be there if Billy needed me, otherwise I would stay out of it.

I sat back against the leather seat, gazing idly out of the window and feeling peaceful for the first time since I'd found out what Helmsley had planned to do to Edge. I was fortunate that Shane had told me, otherwise I would never have been able to stop it in time.

Sleep tugged at my mind, as I'd only snatched five hours of it last night. A nap would probably do me good, I thought tiredly. My eyelids began to droop, and I claimed an image of Edge from my memory as I let the darkness take me over.

A few hours later I was at the door to the hotel room in Miami. I had just put my suitcase down so I could open it, when it swung inwards. Edge, dressed only in a pair of jeans, stood framed in the portal.

"Hey, Chris. Do you wanna come in?"

"Yes" was the only response I could think of.

He smiled and stood back, allowing me to pick up my suitcase and go inside. I heard him close the door, then hands were sliding up my back to settle around my neck.

"Hmmm. You smell good"

I laughed.

"That sounds more like the Edge I know. What was all that about in the hall?"

His sigh whispered against my neck, causing my skin to tingle.

"That was for the benefit of anyone watching"

"Who would be watching us?" I asked, hearing the frown in my own voice.

"It doesn't matter"

"What doesn't matter?" I put my luggage down and turned to face him "What aren't you telling me, Edge?"

He shook his head.

"Please, Chris. Don't get worked up over this. I don't want to fight. I've been dying to hold you for the past five days"

I looked at him closely, and saw the need in his eyes as clearly as though it had been written there. My suspicions melted away and I held out my arms. He stepped forward and folded into my embrace, wrapping his own arms tightly around my back and nestling his left cheek against my shoulder.

"Is that better?" I asked softly.

"Yes. Much"

"I'm sorry I snapped. I didn't get much sleep last night. I guess I'm more tired than I thought"

"I bet that black eye is painful too, isn't it?"

Damn. I'd been caught. I thought the bruise had faded enough, but obviously it hadn't.

"Edge, it's nothing"

"A "nothing" caused by who?"

"I was in a bar and-"

"You hate bars"

"I was hanging out with Test. Some guys got drunk and picked a fight with us"

"And when did this brawl happen?"

"Monday night"

"And why didn't you tell me?"

I tried to pull away so that I could see his face, but he just held me tighter and I didn't want to upset him by struggling to break free.

"You had work to concentrate on. I didn't want you to worry"

He raised his head and to my surprise there were tears gleaming on his cheeks.

"Well you know something, Chris? Its not up to you whether or not I worry. That's my decision. I'm your partner"

I found that I couldn't meet his gaze.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you"

"Yeah, you should have" he reburied his head into my chest "Are there any other things your not telling me?"

"No" I said, lying through my teeth and praying to whatever god was listening that he wouldn't find out about the one big secret tucked away inside me.

"Good" his voice sounded rough with emotion "Now why don't you put your stuff away and we can catch up for all that lost time"

He stepped back, raising one hand to wipe the tears from his eyes.

"It's a good thing that your hordes of screaming fans can't see you now" I teased him gently "You look a mess"

"Humph. It's your fault anyway"

"Mine?"

"Yes" he tossed his head and started walking towards the bedroom, pausing to pick up my suitcase "It's withdrawal symptoms from your presence that leaves me looking like this"

I chuckled as I scooped up my backpack and followed after him. We stowed my luggage in the far left corner of the room, beside his lone gym bag of clothes and wrestling gear. I went to the bed and lay back on its pastel shaded duvet, feeling my tiredness catch up with me. Edge strolled over to the French doors and pulled their curtains shut before coming to lie beside me.

"You know if I had a choice, I'd never leave you" I said quietly.

"I know, Chris" he sighed "If it was up to me, I'd never let you go"

I rolled over onto my side and propped myself up on one elbow so that I could look at him. He looked beautiful, despite the tangled hair and red-rimmed eyes. Maybe his hordes of screaming female fans wouldn't find him quite so attractive right now, but I didn't think that I could ever find him unappealing.

I smiled.

"You know you'll always be beautiful to me"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Even when I'm old and gray?"

"Well I'll be old and gray to. At least we can be ancient together"

Edge laughed.

"That's very comforting, Chris"

"It should be" I retorted. "I've never wanted to be grow ancient with anyone else"

"Ditto" he responded quietly.

Then he reached up his arms and pulled me to him. We kissed, gently at first, then deeper, our tongues feeling and tasting. I felt his hands slide under the T-shirt that I was wearing to play with my nipples. Desire flamed inside me, burning away my tiredness. I could sleep later, I thought absently, flicking my tongue over his jaw line, when I had less important things to do.

Edge groaned, and in a sudden movement he flipped me onto my back and was lying over me. I could see the hunger in his eyes as he bent his head and we kissed again, with almost bruising force.

I gasped as he pulled away slightly.

"Let me get undressed"

He said nothing, merely rolled off and sat on the edge of the bed to remove his own jeans, before lying back down again. I felt his gaze on me as I hastily stripped off my clothes and it burned hot on my naked skin as I kicked off my boxers and came to lie beside him again.

"Your gorgeous, Chris" he whispered, taking me in his arms "And your all mine"

"Always" I responded softly.

We kissed once more and as our tongues wrestled, I slid one hand down between out bodies to curl around his penis. Edge's moan vibrated against my lips, before we broke apart.

"Chris." his voice was husky, roughened by desire.

"Yes?" I replied innocently, running my fingers back and forth along his hard length.

"Don't stop" he gasped.

"Stop what? This?" I bent my head and licked my tongue over his left nipple "Or this?" my free hand swept over his hip to cup one of his buttocks and he arched against me.

"Chris...I can't..I'm gonna come"

"I know, sweetheart" I whispered near his ear "I'm going to turn over so that you can take me"

I kissed his cheek, then turned on my side. I felt him nestle against me, then his hands slid down my chest and over my belly to grasp my own penis.

"Edge"

"Shush, darling" his warm breath tickled the skin of my neck "Let me do this for you"

I obediently remained silent, at least as far words were concerned, but I couldn't stop the occasional whimper or moan that escaped my throat as Edge took me with hard, deep thrusts while at the same time coaxing me to an erection.

We reached the peak together, and came, him inside me and me in his hands, then both of us collapsed back to the bed.

I half-closed my eyes, feeling boneless and utterly spent. Beside me Edge groaned softly.

"I don't think I can move"

Same here, I thought. The energy that I had just expended, coupled with my lack of sleep had left me feeling exhausted, but I also felt badly in need of a shower and something to eat. Forcing my tired muscles into action, I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed.

"I'm gonna have a shower"

"Is that an invitation?" he asked.

Trust Edge. I got to my feet and turned to face him, not surprised to see the almost lecherous slant to his grin.

"I thought you said you couldn't move"

He crooked one eyebrow.

"I could if I had a good reason to. Are you giving me one?"

I shook my head, though not in negation. After all, how could I refuse him?

"Your more than welcome to join me" I said with a huge yawn "You can help keep me from falling asleep"

I heard him laughing as I pushed open the bathroom door and went inside. It was a small room, but it did have a glass walled shower cubicle in the far left corner and a rack of plush looking towels on the right wall beside the hand basin. Basically the essential equipment, I thought with a smile. I slid open the door of the cubicle and reached in to twist the knob mounted high on the wall. Clear, steaming water poured out, spraying droplets on my outstretched arm, then covering me in its downfall when I stepped into the cubicle, closing its door behind me. I stood still, letting the spraying water wash away the sweat from my skin and hair and allowing my mind to go blank.

After a few minutes, the glass door was pulled back, and a hand holding a bar of pink soap appeared around its edge.

"Need some soap, darling?"

I laughed as I picked up the bar and holding it under the water, began to massage it between my hands.

"What took you so long?"

"Just tidying up all the mess you made" he responded, stepping inside the cubicle and pulling the door shut.

"Mess made in the heat of passion is perfectly excusable" I said quietly, putting the soap down on a little ledge in the cubicle's corner and closing the distance between us with half a step "Especially when I don't have to tidy it up"

"Oh really?" his mouth curved into an amused grin, and I gave into the urge to kiss those smiling lips before running my tongue over them.

"Mmm, you taste good" I whispered, lifting my hands to his chest and rubbing my thumbs over his nipples.

Edge uttered a half-groan, half sigh.

"I thought you were tired, Chris"

"I was" I agreed, tracing a line of kisses along his left shoulder "But the combination of you and hot water is very invigorating"

He laughed softly, but didn't say anything as his mouth suddenly became busy, nuzzling greedily at my neck. I inhaled sharply, feeling frissions of desire race along my nerves.

"Edge, should we? I mean..."

"What?" his hands started to slide slowly down my chest.

"We're in a shower" lower and lower went his hands, they were followed by his tongue, which licked at my right nipple.

"I've never done it in a shower" I gasped the words out in a rush.

"Neither have I" I felt his fingers curl around my member which was already beginning to harden "But there's a first time for everything, Chris, and I think that this could be the start of a long tradition"